The Icicle Works
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The Icicle Works |
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The Icicle Works were an independent English rock band of the 1980s. Named after the 1960 short story "The Day The Icicle Works Closed" by science fiction author Frederik Pohl, The Icicle Works joined Liverpool's early 1980s 'neo-psychedelia' wave, which also propelled Echo & the Bunnymen and The Teardrop Explodes to stardom.
History
Formation and early years: 1980-1984
The band was founded in Liverpool in 1980 when bassist Chris Layhe (who had been in a couple of local rock bands including Elanor and Blind Owl) answered an advertisement for a musical collaborator placed by 20 year old Ian McNabb. The two got together and started writing and in 1981 recorded a six-song independently released cassette (Ascending). Ian then pulled in drummer Chris Sharrock (who had previously drummed for the Cherry Boys) and the trio began playing as The Icicle Works. In 1982 they released the independent single "Nirvana". The following year, the Icicle Works were signed to the Beggars Banquet label, who issued the single "Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream)" on their subsidiary label Situation Two.
Later that year, The Icicle Works' released their biggest UK hit, 1983's "Love Is a Wonderful Colour", which was a Top 15 single in the UK Singles Chart. Their debut eponymous album (1984) followed shortly thereafter, reached number 24 on the UK Albums Chart and reached the Top 40 on the [[United States|U.S. Billboard 200 chart. Also appearing on the U.S. Top 40 singles chart at around the same time (and hitting the Canadian Top 20) was "Whisper to a Scream (Birds Fly)", a retitled and slightly remixed version of the band's Situation Two release of 1983.
Touring Years: 1985-1988
After the release of their self-titled debut album the Icicle Works struggled to match their initial commercial success. However, they continued to receive critical acclaim as a live band and secured a loyal fan base both in the UK and abroad. Some[who?] have attributed the lack of commercial success to The Icicle Works' change in sound over the years, from an initial 'new wave' feel to a more straight-ahead (but then-unfashionable) rock sound inspired by Neil Young, The Doors, and the Ramones, amongst others.[citation needed]
In September 1984 the band issued the single "Hollow Horse", which continued to be a live favourite and the folk-rock inspired "Seven Horses". The band continued to enjoy acclaim in the UK, US and Japan but struggled to reclaim their initial chart success.
Beginning in 1986, though the band was still officially a trio, keyboardist Dave Green became an auxiliary member of The Icicle Works, playing at live shows and contributing to the band's recordings. Prior to Green's arrival, Tour Manager Chris Turrel (Tugsie) had played the keyboards for about 18 months. Previously, both McNabb and Layhe doubled up on instruments playing guitar, keyboard and percussion at live gigs. Layhe was often seen playing the octobans and McNabb occasionally played an open tuned guitar with his right hand and a keyboard with his left.
In early 1986, Beggars' Banquet compiled all the 12" mixes of the band's singles onto a UK-only LP entitled Seven Singles Deep, which hit #52 on the UK Albums Chart.
In July 1986, The Icicle Works had a chart hit with "Understanding Jane", which peaked at #52. The pop-oriented follow-up single "Who Do You Want For Your Love" peaked at #54, and January 1987's "Evangeline" peaked at #53. All three songs found their way on to the 1987 album If You Want to Defeat Your Enemy Sing His Song, produced by Ian Broudie. The album was released in both Britain and North America and hit #28 on the UK chart.
Later in 1987, The Icicle Works issued the single "High Time". It just missed the UK chart, but in 1988 it hit #13 on the newly created U.S. Modern Rock chart.
The band's fourth studio album, Blind, was produced by McNabb and issued in 1988. The album featured 13 tracks in the UK and Canada, but the U.S. version of the album featured a different track listing, slightly edited versions of a few songs, and a different cover. Still, both versions of the album contained "High Time" and the minor British hit "Little Girl Lost", which peaked at #59.
The 'Second Generation' Icicle Works: 1989-1991
By the late 1980s, tensions within the group were increasing, allegedly due to McNabb's controlling ways. By 1988, in addition to writing virtually all of The Icicle Works' material (as well as singing and playing guitar) McNabb was also producing the group's records.
Accordingly, shortly after Blind was issued, drummer Chris Sharrock departed to The La's. Sharrock would later be a member of The Lightning Seeds and World Party, and would also drum for Robbie Williams, Del Amitri and Eurythmics. Layhe also departed at this time and Beggars Banquet dropped the group from their roster.
McNabb continued to perform under the name The Icicle Works for a while. Dave Green was promoted to official membership status, although he would leave the band within a year. Zak Starkey, son of Ringo Starr, was added on drums for a time, and various keyboardists, bassists, and guitarists passed through before the band released their final album Permanent Damage (1990), recorded for Epic/Sony. By that time, the band's lineup was McNabb, bassist Roy Corkill, former 10cc and Jethro Tull drummer Paul Burgess, keyboardist Dave Baldwin, and backing vocalist Mark Revell.
This 'second-generation' version of The Icicle Works quietly broke up after Permanent Damage failed to chart, and Epic dropped the band.
McNabb's solo career officially began in 1991 with the release of the single "Great Dreams of Heaven".
In 1992, a compilation called The Best of The Icicle Works was released, containing the best of their work from the Beggars Banquet years. Two years later, a live recording of a 1987 concert was issued.
Revival: 2006-2008
After having been a solo act for 15 years, in 2006 McNabb unexpectedly reactivated The Icicle Works name for a series of six UK concerts in October of that year. This version of the band consisted of McNabb, former 'second-generation' Icicle Works bassist Roy Corkill, and two new members: keyboard player Richard Naiff and ex-Dodgy drummer Matthew Priest, both of McNabb's long-time solo touring band. Original drummer Chris Sharrock had been invited to play with the revived group, but declined to participate.
The Icicle Works appeared at GuilFest 2007 and played a nine-date UK tour in December 2007. Some shows on the tour were heavily criticized by fans on the Message Boards at www.ianmcnabb.com for their supposedly shambolic nature, especially with regards to McNabb's performance. Perhaps by way of an apology, The Icicle Works played 2 free shows in January 2008. Thereafter, The Icicle Works name was retired once again, and McNabb resumed playing exclusively as a solo artist.
Singles
| Year | Title | Peak Chart Position | Notes | ||
| UK Singles Chart[1] | U.S. Hot 100 | U.S. Modern Rock | |||
| October 1982 | "Nirvana" | - | - | - | A re-recorded version of this track can be heard on The Icicle Works. Released on the band's own Troll Kitchen label, this single peaked at #15 on the UK Independent Charts. |
| June 1983 | "Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream)" | - | - | - | Original single release on Situation 2 label. Peaked at #2 on the UK independent charts. Track later included on the UK version of The Icicle Works. |
| October 1983 | "Love Is a Wonderful Colour" | #15 | - | - | Track later included on The Icicle Works. |
| March 1984 | "Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream)" / "In the Cauldron of Love" | #53 | - | - | Double A-side. Both tracks included on the UK version of The Icicle Works. |
| May 1984 | "Whisper to a Scream (Birds Fly)" | - | #37 | - | Retitled and remixed for the US. Track included on the US version of The Icicle Works. |
| September 1984 | "Hollow Horse" | - | - | - | Later included on The Small Price of a Bicycle. |
| May 1985 | "All the Daughters (of Her Father's House)" | - | - | - | Later included on The Small Price of a Bicycle. |
| July 1985 | "Seven Horses" | - | - | - | Later included on The Small Price of a Bicycle. |
| September 1985 | "It Makes No Difference" | - | - | - | Promo-only release, as "Melting Bear". Later issued as an Icicle Works B-side. |
| October 1985 | "When It All Comes Down" | - | - | - | 12" version later included on Seven Singles Deep. 7" version unavailable on any Icicle Works album. |
| January 1986 | "Rapids" | - | - | - | Promo-only release. From The Small Price of a Bicycle |
| July 1986 | "Understanding Jane" | #52 | - | - | Later included on If You Want to Defeat Your Enemy Sing His Song |
| September 1986 | "Who Do You Want for Your Love?" | #54 | - | - | Later included on If You Want to Defeat Your Enemy Sing His Song |
| November 1986 | "Up Here in the North of England" | - | - | - | 12" single only. Later included on If You Want to Defeat Your Enemy Sing His Song |
| January 1987 | "Evangeline" | #53 | - | - | Later included on If You Want to Defeat Your Enemy Sing His Song |
| July? 1987 | "Travelling Chest" | - | - | - | European release only. From If You Want to Defeat Your Enemy Sing His Song |
| November 1987 | "High Time" | - | - | #13 | Later included on Blind. |
| February 1988 | "The Kiss Off" | - | - | - | Later included on Blind. |
| April 1988 | "Little Girl Lost" | #59 | - | - | Later included on Blind. |
| June 1988 | "Here Comes Trouble" | - | - | - | From Blind. |
| March 1990 | "Motorcycle Rider" | #73 | - | - | Later included on Permanent Damage. |
| May 1990 | "Melanie Still Hurts" | - | - | - | From Permanent Damage. |
| July 1990 | "I Still Want You" | - | - | - | From Permanent Damage. |
| August 1992 | "Understanding Jane ('92 Version)" | - | - | - | From The Best of the Icicle Works. |
Albums
| Year | Title | Peak Chart Position | |
| UK Albums Chart[1] | U.S. | ||
| March 1984 | The Icicle Works | #24 | #40 |
| September 1985 | The Small Price of a Bicycle | #55 | - |
| March 1987 | If You Want to Defeat Your Enemy, Sing His Song | #28 | - |
| May 1988 | Blind | #40 | - |
| May 1990 | Permanent Damage | - | - |
Compilation albums
| Year | Title | Peak Chart Position | |
| UK Albums Chart[1] | U.S. | ||
| February 1986 | Seven Singles Deep | #52 | - |
| August 1992 | The Best of The Icicle Works | #60 | - |
Audio sample
References
- ^ a b c Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 266. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
Sources
- Whitburn, Joel (1987). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Albums. New York: Billboard Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-8230-7513-3
- Whitburn, Joel (1987). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits (3rd ed.). New York: Billboard Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-8230-7520-6
- Official Discography at the Ian McNabb web page: http://www.ianmcnabb.com/discogw.htm
- Barwood, Tony. Liner notes to "The Icicle Works" (2006 reissue).
External links
- Video interview with Ian McNabb and Ian McNabb acoustic session from BBC Liverpool08